Capping play - contact response

    Keywords: Shape, Tactics
[Diagram]

Forceful

When White caps Black like this, the contact play by Black on one side or the other is a more forceful way to play than the knight's move recommended by the proverb. Both players can expect to be strengthened in what follows. Next White a is usual; White at b is a special technique that has been used by top players, but can lead White immediately into bad shape (hane at the head of two).

[Diagram]

Normal

It is quite normal for White 3, Black 4 and the connection White 5 to happen next. Black can now start a pushing battle with a.

[Diagram]

White resists

Quite probably Black chose to play contact just because the pushing battle after the previous diagram was interesting to him. Therefore White 5 may be natural resistance. Black 6 to cut and the appearance of a windmill after that are the normal development. The fighting in the centre of the board has become serious.

[Diagram]

Attach-extend

Black may want to continue more solidly; in which case Black 4 is appropriate. The table shape Black 8 is good (might be somewhat overconcentrated, too) while White has two cutting points to defend.

Charles Matthews


This is a copy of the living page "Capping play - contact response" at Sensei's Library.
(OC) 2004 the Authors, published under the OpenContent License V1.0.
[Welcome to Sensei's Library!]
StartingPoints
ReferenceSection
About